Process for preparing 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-4a-hydroxyperhydro-3h-naphtha{8 2,1-b{9 benzopyran-7-ols and 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-4a-hydroxyperhydro-3h-naphtha{8 2,1-b{9 benzopyran-7-ones as steroid intermediates

ABSTRACT

A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring precursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents gamma -butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly 19-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an Aring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

United States Patent [191 Cohen et al.

[75] Inventors: Noal Cohen, Montclair; Michael Rosenberger, Caldwell; Gabriel Saucy, Essex Fells, all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley,

[22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 450,647

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 67,296, Aug. 26, 1970, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 260/3435 [51] Int. Cl C07cl 7/06 [58] Field of Search 260/3435 [56] References Cited OTHER PUBLICATIONS Methoden Der Organischen Chemie, l-loubenWeyl,

[11 3,890,354 June 17, 1975 Band VI/2, 1963, pp. 656-658.

Primary ExaminerDonald Daus Assistant Examiner-Anne Marie T. Tighe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel L. Welt; Jon S. Saxe; Raymond R. Wittekind [5 7] ABSTRACT A multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of steroids utilizing intermediates having a cyanoalkyl A-ring pre cursor is disclosed. The initial starting materials for this process are the relatively inexpensive and commercially available reagents 'y-butyrolactone and sodium cyanide. The process is suitable for the preparation of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids, particularly l9-norsteroids. It is a feature of this process that conditions employed during the multiple step synthesis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile group even during hydrogenation and hydrolysis steps. In this manner, it is possible to employ the nitrile group as an A-ring precursor without resorting to protective groups as was heretofore found necessary in previous steroid total synthesis processes.

3 Claims, No Drawings BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a multi-step, stereospecific total synthesis of racemic or optically active, medicinally valuable steroids utilizing a cyanoalkyl A- ring precursor. This synthesis is particularly adapted to produce l9-norsteroids.

One aspect of the present invention involves the preparation of racemic or optically active compounds of the following formula:

NC-Ch -CH -CH wherein R is a primary alkyl group of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen, lower primary alkyl or acyl; Z is carbonyl or a group of the formula where R is hydrogen, lower acyl, lower alkyl, aryl lower alkyl or tetrahydropyran-Z-yl; R is hydrogen or lower aliphatic hydrocarbyl; T is either a single or double bond, U is a single or double bond and is a single bond when T is a single bone; m is l or 2; n is O or 1 and is when T is a double bond and is 1 when T is a single bond; r is 0 or 1 and is 0 when T is a double bond and 1 when T is a single bond; and S is 0 or 1 and is 0 when U is a double bond and 1 when U is a single bond.

As used throughout the specification and appended claims, the term hydrocarbyl group denotes a monovalent substituent consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen and having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the term aliphatic with reference to hydrocarbyl groups, denotes groups containing no aromatic unsaturation, but which can be saturated or unsaturated, i.e., an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; the term alkyl group denotes a saturated hydrocarbyl group with a straight or branched chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the term alkenyl denotes a straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl group having at least one olefinic bond and containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the term alkynyl group denotes a straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl group containing at least one acetylenic bond having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the term primary alkyl group denotes an alkyl group having its valence from a carbon bonded to at least two hydrogens; the

term acyl group denotes a group consisting of the residue of a hydrocarbyl monocarboxylic acid having 1 to 18 carbon atoms formed by removal of the hydroxyl 5 portion of the carboxyl group; andthe term lower, as applied to any of the foregoing groups, denotes a group having a carbon skeleton containing up to and including 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, tertiary butyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, vinyl butenyl, hexenyl, ethynyl, ethylene, methylene, formyl, acetyl, 2- phenylethyl, and the like.

In the formulae presented herein, the various substituents on cyclic compounds are joined to the cyclic nucleus by one of three notations, a solid line indicating a substituent which is in the B-orientation, (i.e., above the plane of the paper), a dotted line indicating a substituent which is in the a-orientation (below the plane of the paper) or a wavy line indicating a substituent which may be either the aor B-orientation. The position of R, has been arbitrarily indicated as the B-orientation, although the products obtained in the examples are all racemic compounds unless otherwise specified.

Preferred compounds are those wherein R is n-alkyl, especially methyl and ethyl; m is l and, when s has a value of l, the 9a- (when m is l) or l0a- (when m is 2) hydrogen is trans-oriented with respect to R Subgeneric to the tricyclic compounds of formula I are the dienes having the formula:

where R m and Z are as above; the monenes, represented by the formula where R R m and Z are as above.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to processes useful in the preparation of compounds of within the scope'of the processes of the present invention to prepare either racemicor optically active forms of compounds of formula la; Such processes are sumformula la, utilizing commercially available and rela- 5 marized in the following reaction sheme:

tively inexpensive starting materials. For example, a

REA CTION SCHlF-i'i VIII preferred synthesis route for the preparation of compounds of formula Ia, utilizes 2,2-di-(3-cyanopropyl)- 1,3-dioxolane as starting material. The latter compound is a known chemical which may be prepared in a manner known per se from S-butyrolactone utilizing where R and m are as above; R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R and R independently are hydrogen and lower hydrocarbyl and R is a halogen selected from the group consisting of chloro, bromo or iodo; hydroxy; lower alkoxy; lower hydrocarbylamino or di(lowerhydrocarbyl)amino.

CHART FOR REACTION SCHEME 1 Conditions Reagents lvent Step Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Remarks A dilute aqueous mineral dilute a ueous a water miscible acetone 20 to ID to 30 acid; e.g., hydrochloric hydroch oric organic solvent acid; dilute aqueous acid selected from the organic acid, e.g., group consisting of acetic acid ketones, e.g., acetone;

ethers, e.g., tetrahydrofuran and organic acids, e.g., acetic acid B alkali metal sodium a non-ketonic organic aqueous 20 to boiling 10 to 30 borohydn'des, e.g., borohydride solvent selected from methanol point of solvent sodium borohydride; the group consisting of alkoxy substituted lower alkanols, e.g.,

alkali metal methanol; water borohydrides, e.g., miscible ethers, e.g., trimethoxysodium tetrahydrofuran; borohydride; alkoxy pyridine and substituted complex dimethylfonnamide; metal hydride, e.g., or a mixture of water lithium aluminum and one or more of the tri-t-butoxy hydride. above. C one equivalent each of one equivalent hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene 20 to 150 to water and an acid of toluene, ethers, e.g. selected from the group -toluenesultetrahydrofuran; consisting of mineral onic acid dimethylforrnamide. acids, e.g. sulfuric acid, monohydrate and organic sulfonic or one acids, e.g. equivalent p-toluenesulfonic acid. each of water and sulfuric acid. D vinyl magnesium vinyl ethers, e.g. diethyl tetrahydro- 20 to -l00 40 to 70 Product Vl is not halides, e.g. vinyl magnesium ether, tetrahydrofuran furan i l d, magnesium chloride; chloride vinyl alkali metals, e.g., vinyl lithium CHART FOR REACTION SCHEME I Reagents Solvent Conditions Step Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Remarks E hydrohalic acids, e.g. for racemic where solubility tetrahydro- 0 to 50 10 to hydrochloric acid; series pennits, the reagent furan lower alkanols, e.g. diethylamine; employed, e.g. methanol; water; mono for optically methanol; lower hydrocarbyl active series dhydrocarbons, e.g. amines, e.g. or benzene; ethers, e.g. a-methylbenzylamine; l-atetrahydrofuran.

di( lower methylbenhydrocarbyl)amines. zylamine. e.g. diethylamine.

F 2-alkylcyclopentan-l,3- 2- hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene 20 to 150 80 to 120 An acidic or basic diones; methylcyclotoluene; ethers, e.g. catalyst can be used, 2-alkylcyclohexan-l,3- pentan-l,3- tetrahydrofuran; preferably a lower diones. dione; dimethylfonnamide; alkanoic acid, e.g.

2-ethylcyclodimethylsulfoxide. acetic acid. pentan-l,3- dione G a non-opticall active oxalic acid ketones e.g. acetone; acetone, l0 to 120 20 to 80 acid selected mm the lower alkanols, e.g. acetonitrile group consisting of methanol; ethers, e.g. mineral acids, e.g. diethyl ether; hydrochloric acid; hydrocarbons, e.g. hydrocarbylmonocarbenzene; nitriles, e.g. boxylic acids, e.g. acetonitrile. acetic acid, hydrocarbyl dicarboxylic acids, e.g. oxalic acid.

H a. water; lower a. lower alkanols, e.g. methanol 20 to 120 40 to 60 a catalytic amount of alkanols, e.g. methanol b. methanol; an inorganic base, methanol; b. lower benzaldehydrocarbons, e.g. preferably an alkali hydrocarbyl or hyde toluene; ethers, e.g. metal carbonate or aromatic aldehydes, tetrahydrofuran. bicarbonate, e.g. e.g. benzaldehyde. sodium bicarbonate may be employed.

I 2-alkylcyclopentan-l,3- 2- hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene 20 to l 80 to l20 an acidic or basic diones; methylcyclotoluene; ethers, e.g. catalyst can be used, 2-alkyl-cyclohexan-l,3- pentan-l,3- tetrahydrofuran; preferably a lower diones. dione; dimethylfonnamide; alkanoic acid, e.g.

2-ethylcyclodimethylsulfoxide. acetic acid. pentan-LS- dione.

In Step A the known compounds 2,2-di(3- which is hydrolyzed by the water present to V.

cyanopropyl)-1,3-dioxolane was selectively hydrolyzed utilizing dilute aqueous acid in the presence of a watermiscible, organic solvent to yield 5-oxoazeleonitrile (III). Conditions for this hydrolysis are selected so as to retain the normally labile nitrile groups. Reduction of the carbonyl function in compound III is accomplished in Step B utilizing a metal hydride reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride to produce 5-hydroxyazeleonitrile (IV).

The symmetrical di-cyano alcohol produced above (IV) is then subjected to a selective acid hydrolysis procedure in Step C so as to produce 8-cyano-5-hydroxyoctanoic acid lactone. For this reaction it is necessary to employ one equivalent of water and one equivalent of strong acid, such as a mineral acid or an organic sulfonic acid such as p-toluene sulfonic acid. By utilizing one equivalent each of these reagents, it is possible to selectively hydrolyze only one of the two equivalent cyano moieties in compound IV.

It is likely that this reaction proceeds through the intermediate In Step D the lactone of formula V is treated with a vinylating agent such as vinyl Grignard to produce a tautomeric mixture of 6-(3-cyanopropyl)-2-vinyltetrahydropyran-Z-ol (which is named as a matter of convenience as a closed form). This reaction is highly selective in that the reactive nitrile group in no affected by the vinylating agent under the carefully controlled reaction conditions.

Because of the susceptibility of the vinyl group of the compound of formula VI to polymerization, it is highly desirable to convert this compound without isolation to a more stable variant in Step B so as to produce a compound of formula VII. This is accomplished by treating the compound of formula VI with either water, an indicated hydrogen halide, a lower alkanol or a primary or secondary amine.

When it is desired to ultimately produce a racemic compound from this process scheme, it is possible to utilize any of the aforementioned reactants in process Step E, although a reactant of greatest preference is a di(lower hydrocarbyl)arnine, preferably a di(lower alkyl)amine such as diethyl amine. In a final process step for the production of a racemic compound of formula la, the compound of formula VII is reacted in process Step F with a 2-alkyl-cyclopentan-l,3-dione or a 2- alkyl-cyclohexane-l ,3-dione.

Where it is desirable to produce optically active benzopyrans, it is necessary to employ in Step E an optically active primary or secondary amine so as to produce a compound of formula VII which is substituted .with such an optically active amino group. Suitable optically active amines for this purpose include a-methyl-.

benzylamine (also known as a-phenethylamine), dehydro-abietylamine or desoxyephedrine.

When compound VIII contains an optically active amino moiety as R it can be conveniently resolved in Step G to compound VIII. This resolution is conveniently effected by recrystallization of compound VII or, more effectively, by the recrystallization of a suitable crystalline acid addition salt of compound VII. Suitable acids include mineral acids, non-optically active hydrocarbyl monocarboxylic acids or hydrocarbyl dicarboxylic acids. Especially preferable is oxalic acid. The recrystallized acid addition salt is then decomposed by methods known per se to afford the resolved amine VIII.

Compound VIII can be converted to compound Ia" compound VII to compound Ia. It is preferable when 20 dealing with optically active amines such as compound VIII, to first convert them to the corresponding ether (IX) as shown in Step II. This is done by reaction of compound VIII with an excess of a lower alkanol, preferably methanol, and a lower hydrocarbyl or aromatic aldehyde, preferably benzyaldehyde, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a weak inorganic base, preferably sodium bicarbonate. In this manner, the valuable optically active amine is trapped as its reaction product with the aldehyde, and can be recycled for future use.

Conversion of compound IX to compound Ia" as shown in Step I is accomplished according to the identical procedure of Step F.

The condensation of vinyl ketone addition products such as VII, VIII or IX with a 2-alkyl cycloalkane 1,3- dione is one of the key features of this reaction. It is in this condensation that specific stereochemical induction at one member of the critical CID-ring junction of the eventual steroidal product occurs. Thus, this invention is particularly advantageous in that it involves 'a unique asymmetric induction. The products of the condensation, i.e., the dienol ethers of formula Ia and la", have'two asymmetric centers at positions 3 and 6arespectively, and, therefore, two racemates or four optical antipodes are possible. However, asa result of the condensation of this invention, when using ,a racemic starting material of formula VII, mainly one of the two possible'racemates of formula la is formed. Forsynthesis of a racemic steroidal final product, both of. the racemates can be used. When using the optically active starting material of formulas VIII and IX, mainly a single optical antipode of formula Ia"."The specificity is increased by using compounds of formula IX rather than those of VIII and the desired optical antipode can be obtained in high purity by recrystallization of the crude reaction product. This is another reason for the inclusion of the additional Step H in the Reaction sequence. It has been found that when starting with a compound of formula VIII or IX with a -R-stero configuration, there is obtained the more desirable optical antipode of formula Ia" having a 6aS(6a/3)-stereoconfiguration. Thus, to prepare steroidal materials having the more desirable 13B-stereo-configuration by the synthesis of this invention, one can start with the antipode of formula Ia which is prepared from'antipode VIII or IX which are in turn prepared by resolu= tion of the racemic amine VII. The unique asymmetric with a unique asymmetric induction is a special advantage of this invention.

The keto dienes of formula Ia-l where R and m are as previously defined, are readily converted to the corresponding 7B-alcohols and their esters and ethers as represented by the formula Ia-2 where R,, R and m are as previously defined, by the sequence of reactions comprising reduction of the ketone to the-alcohol and, if desired, subsequent esterification or etherification.

It isimperative that the reducing agent and the reaction conditions be chosen such that only the desired 7- ketone and notthe cyano' group on the side chain isre- I ducedi The reduction can be effected by the use of a metal hydride reducing agent. The use of an alkaline metal borohydride, e.g. sodium borohydride; an alkoxy substituted alkaline metal borohydride, e.g. trimethoxysodium borohydride; or an alkoxy substituted complex metal hydride, e.g. lithium aluminum tir-'t-butoxy hydride is preferred.

'This reaction is effected in any suitable reaction medium, such as ethers, e.g. diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran; water; a lower 'alkanol, e.g., methanol; N,N-di- (lower alkyl)-lower alkanoyl amides, e.g. N,N-dirnethyl formamide'or aromatic amines, e.g. pyridine. The use of a hydrocarbon co-solvent, e.g. benzene, to solubilize the reactants is sometimes necessary.

The remaining reaction conditions are not narrowly critical," although it is generally preferred to effect the reduction at reduced temperatures, i.e., below about room temperature. Temperatures in the range of from about 0C. to about room temperature are normally employed.

The free alcohol is recovered from the reaction mixture after treatment of the mixture with acid. The alcohol can be esterified in known manner, for example, by base-catalyzed reaction with'a carboxylic acid halide or carboxylic acid anhydride. Illustrative bases include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide and organic bases such as a sodium alkoxide or an amine, especially a tertiary amine, and more particularly, pyridine and picoline.

The alcohol can also be etherified in a known manner by acid catalyzed reaction with an olefin such as isobutylene or 2,3-dihydropyran. Suitable acids include mineral acids, organic sulfonic acids and Lewis acids.

The keto dienes of formula la-l can also be converted to their 7B-hydroxy-7a-hydrocarbyl derivatives represented by the formula la-3.

where R R and m are as previously defined and R is lower hydrocarbyl, by reaction of the keto diene with a hydrocarbyl magnesium halide such as methyl magnesium chloride or vinyl magnesium chloride, or a hydrocarbyl alkali metal compound such as methyl lithium, sodium acetylide, potassium acetylide, and the like.

It should be noted that where an alkenyl or alkynyl group is introduced into the molecule at this time, it will be reduced to the corresponding alkyl group by the later hydrogenation steps of the present process.

It is well known that hydrocarbyl magnesium halides and hydrocarbyl alkali metal compounds readily add to nitrile moieties such as that present in the side chain of compound Ia-l. Surprisingly, it has been found that selective addition to the 7-keto function can be accomplished by carrying out the reaction under carefully controlled conditions. The reaction is run in an ethereal medium, e.g. ethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, and in the case of alkynyl alkali metal, it is especially convenient to perform the reaction in liquid ammonia. The temperature of the reaction is kept between -50 and +50", preferably, between 20 and +l. The resulting reaction product is hydrolyzed to produce the free alcohol, which can be esterified as discussed above.

The next step of the general synthesis of the tricyclic compounds of this invention, comprises conversion of the diene of formula la to the monoene of formula lb by catalytic hydrogenation. Suitable catalysts include the noble metals, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, and the like, as well as Raney nickel and other hydrogenation catalysts. These catalysts can be employed in the form of the metal alone or can be deposited on suitable support materials, such as carbon, alumina, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, and the like. Palladium and rhodium are preferred as catalysts. The hydrogenation is preferably conducted in the presence of inert solvent, such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, and the like. The reaction conditions of pressure and temperature are not narrowly critical, and normally a hydrogen pressure of about 1 atmosphere and a temperature of about room temperature are employed. These ambient conditions are generally preferred to avoid significant hydrogenation of the 41, 9b(10b)- double bond and the labile nitrile group of the side chain, although more severe conditions, for example up to about and up to about 10 atmospheres, can be employed if desired. The hydrogenation medium can be acidic, neutral, or basic, as may be desired, although a hydrocarbon medium, e.g. toluene or hexane, containing a tertiary amine, e.g.- triethylamine, is preferred for best results. It is not advisable to combine a high reaction temperature with a strongly acidic or basic reaction medium as significant hydrolysis of the labile nitrile group may occur. In the case of hydrogenation of compounds of formula la-2 where R is an unsaturated hydrocarbyl radical, the reaction, in addition to hydrogenating the ring double bond, also hydrogenates the 7a-hydrocarbyl substituent, converting it to an alkyl group.

Via the aforesaid catalytic hydrogenation C/D-trans compounds are formed in a major proportion when hydrogenating a diene of formula Ia-2 or Ia-3. This method thus provides an advantageous synthesis of C/D-trans steroidal materials. When hydrogenating a diene of formula Ia-l, C/D-cis compounds are formed in a major proportion. This method thus provides an advantageous synthesis of C/D-cis steroidal materials. The products of hydrogenation of diene la-l are shown as Ib-l wherein R and m are as previously defined, and those from hydrogenation of dienes la-2and la-3 are shown as lb-2,

NC-CH -CH -CH wherein R R R and m are as previously defined. Compounds of structure Ib-l can be converted to those of formula Ib-2by the identical techniques discussed above regarding the dienes of formula Ia.

When Z is carbonyl and the hydrogenation is effected under basic conditions, there is a tendency toward the production of predominantly 6a/9a( l0a)-cis compounds; that is, the hydrogen atom in the 9a(l0a)- position in formula lb-l is predominantly in the B- orientation. When these compounds are intended as intermediates for the synthesis of steroids having the C/D- transorientation, this technique is not particularly desirable. Although the ratio of ,B to a-orientation is about 1:1 at neutral conditions when hydrogenating a l 1 compound wherein Z is carbonyl, it is preferred to hydrogenate a 7B-alcohol or ester of formula'Ia-2 or Ia-3 because the products of this hydrogenation are predominantly the 6a/9a( lOa)-trans-compounds. When monoenes of formula Ib -l having CID-transconfiguration are desired, it is preferable to first reduce the dienone of formula Ia-l to a corresponding hydroxy compound of formula Ia-2 prior to the catalytic hydrogenation. Following the catalytic hydrogenation, the

carbonyl moiety of formula Ib-l can be regenerated by conventional means, such as oxidation with chromium trioxide or silver carbonate.

The monene compounds of formula Ib prepared by the above described hydrogenation contain at least 3 asymmetric centers, at positions 3, 6a and 9a when m is l and at positions 3, 6a and 10a when m is 2. With respect to these three centers, there are thus eight stereoisometric configurations possible. By virtue of the unique asymmetric induction of this invention, proceeding from a racemic starting material of formula VII only four of the steroisomers of formula Ib are prepared, and proceeding from an optically active starting material of formula VIII or IX only two of the stereoisomers of formula ib are prepared. Moreover, by the above-described hydrogenation of this invention and by appropriate selection of the 7-substituents in the diene of formula Ia subjected to the hydrogenation, there can predominantly be prepared the desired 6a, 9a( l0a)-trans-stereo-configuration. Thus, the eventual obtention of the more desired l3B-C/D-transconfiguration in the ultimate steroidal product is rendered more facile by the stereo-selective reactions provided by this invention.

Illustrative examples of the monoene of formula Ib include:

3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-2,3,5,6,6a,8,9,9a-

octahydro-cyclopenta[ f] [l]benzopyran- 7(lI-I)-one,

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-methyll ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a,7,8 ,9,9a-

decahydro-cylcopenta[ f] [l]benzopyran-7B-ol, 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-2,3,5,6,6a,8,9,9a-

octahydro-cyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran- 7( lI-I)-one, 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9a-

decahydro-cyclopentaI f] l ]benzopyran-7B-ol,

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-methyll,2,3,5,6,6a,8,9, 10, l 0a-decahydro-naphtho[ 2, l ]pyran-7-one, 3-( 3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-l ,2,5 ,6,6a,8,9, l 0, l 0adecahydro-3I-I-naphtho 2 l -b pyran-7 B-ol, 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyll,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9, l O, lOa-decahydro-naphtho [2,l-b]pyran-7-one, 3-( 3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyll ,2,5 ,6,6a,8,9, l 0, 1 0sdecahydro-3H-naphtho 2 l -b ]pyran-7 B-ol.

The next reaction of applicants general process for the compounds of this invention is the conversion of the monoene of formula lb to the perhydro compound of formula Ic by the reaction of the monoene with a compound having the formula:

R OH

wherein R is as previously defined. That is, the monoene of formula Ib is reacted with water, a primary alcohol, or a carboxylic acid. This reaction is catalyzed by mineral or organic acids, for example, hydrochloric aicd, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, para-toluene sulfonic acid, and the like. Sulfuric acid is the preferred acid catalyst, and water; the preferred reactant. Although it is not necessary, it is desirable to conduct this reaction in the presence of an added solvent, particularly in the event the compound of formula X is water. In this case, it is desirable to employ a solvent which is both miscible with water and a solvent for the monoene of formula Ib. Solvents of this nature include acetone, tert.-butyl alcohol, dioxane and the like. The reaction temperature is not critical, and ambient temperature is normally employed although higher and lower temperatures could be employed if desired.

As with the comounds of formulae Ia-l and Ib-l, the compounds of the general formula Ic wherein Z is carbonyl.

I -1 NC CH2 CH2 CH2 and R R and m are as previously defined, are readily converted to their corresponding 73- alcohol or esters Ic-2 H OR wherein R R R R and m are as previously defined, by the previously described method.

In a modification of the general technique outlined above, one can simultaneously effect the hydrogenation and hydration steps, for example, by hydrogenation of a diene of formula la in aqueous sulfuric acid. When this simultaneous hydrogenation-hydration is effected, it is preferred to begin with a diene having a hydroxyl group in the 7B-position.

Illustrative examples of the compounds falling within the scope of formula 10 include: i

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-methyl-4ahydroxyperhydrocyclopenta[f][l]benzopyran- 7-one,

3-(3 cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-4ahydroxyperhydrocyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran-7B- 0 3-'(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-4al71ydroxyperhydrocyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran- -one, 3-( 3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-4a hlydroxyperhydrocyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran-7B- 3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-methyl-4a-hydroxyperhydro- 3H-naphtho[2, l -b]pyran-7-one,

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-methyl-4a,7B-

dihydroxyperhydro-3H-naphtho 2, l -b]pyran,

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-ethyl-4a-hydroxyperhydro- 5 3H-naphtho [2,l-b]pyran-7-one,

3-( 3-cyanopropyl )-6a-ethyl-4a,7B-

dihydroxyperhydro-3l-I-haphtho[2, l -b]pyran.

where R, and R are as defined above, or a group of 10 the formula As indicated above, the tricyclic compounds of this OB invention are useful as intermediates for the preparation of various medicinally valuable steroid compounds. This is illustrated by the following Reaction R Scheme. 15

REACTION SCHEME. II

R1 R1 Z\ acid or base r 2 m (C 2 m cu CN i XII z"\ R R1 (CH 1 k 11 (CH i z' H on M ketalizing agent 2 m a m liiWZ CN/ XIV (M) OR t CN 0 XIII //IR1\5 l5 i XV Ci i 5 it (o) a 2M x I 0 I v where R R Z and m are as above; 2' is carbonyl where R and R are each independently the same or a group of the formula lower alkyl or taken together are lower alkylene 45 having from 1 to 4 carbons; and R is hydrogen,

\c/on lower hydrocarbyl, aryl, or aryl lower alkyl.

CHART FOR REACTION SCHEME [I Reagents Solvents Conditions Step Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Remarks J chromic acid; alkali chromic ketones, e.g. acetone;acetone, to +100 0 to metal dichromates, e.g., acid-sulfuric ethers, e.g. diethyl acetic acid potassium dichromate; acid (Jones ether; lower organic alkali metal reagent) acids, e.g. acetic acid; permanganate, e.g., pyridine; potassium dimethylformamide; permanganate mixtures of the above with water K mineral acids, e.g., catalytic lower alkanols, e.g., methanol 20 to l 50 to For acid catalyzed sulfuric acid; organic amount of methanol; reaction it is preferable sulfonic acids; eg, sodium hydrocarbons, e.g., to remove water of para-toluenesulfonic hydroxide toluene reaction by azeotropic acid; alkali metal distillation. hydroxides, e.g., sodium hydroxide L metal catalysts in palladiumlower alkanols, e.g., tetrahydro- 0 to l00, up to 20 to 30 1 to presence of a mineral charcoal in methanol; ethers, e.g.,furan l0atm 3atm tetrahydrofuran; lower organic acids, e.g., acetic acid; hydrocarbons, e.g., benzene acid, an alkali metal hydroxide or an organic amine the presence of an organic amine, e.g.

triethylamine methanol; ethers, e.g.,

CHART FOR REACTION SCHEME II Reagents Solvents Conditions Step Operable Preferred Operable Preferred, Qperable Preferred Remarks M a. lower alkanols, e.g. a. ethylene ethers, e.g., tetrahydroto l00 20 to 50 methanol; lower glytetrahydrofuran; furan a alkylene diols, e.g., col b. hydrocarbons, e.g., ethylene glycol, sulfuric toluene; lower 2,3-butanediol; b. acid c. alkanols, e.g. catalytic amounts of trimemethanol either mineral acids, thyl ore.g. sulfuric acid; thoformorganic sulfonic acids, ate e.g., para-toluenesulfonic acid, or Lewis acids, e.g., borontrifluoride; c. tri(lower alkyl) orthoformates I a a N organomagnesium methyl lithium ethers, e.g., diethyl diethyl 50 to +50 l0 to halides, e.g., ether, ether or methylmagnesium tetrahydrofuran; tetrahydrochloride; organo alkali hydrocarbons, e.g., furan metal reagents, e.g., hexane, toluene methyl lithium O dilute mineral acids, dilute lower alkanols; e.g., methanol to 100 50 to 70" e.g., hydrochloric acid; hydrochloric organic sulfonic acids, acid tetrahydrofuran e.g., para-toluene-sulfonic acid In the first step of this reaction scheme (J), compounds of formula Ic are oxidized to form bicyclic compounds of the formula XI by contact with such oxidizing agents such as chromic acid, potassium dichromate, or potassium permanganate, Jones reagent (chromic acid, sulfuric acid and acetone), or a chromic acidacetic acid mixture are preferred as oxidizing agents. The nature of Z is unchanged in this reaction, except where Z is hydroxy methylene [CI-I(OI-I)-]. In this instance, unless the hydroxyl group is protected, as by formation of a lower acyl ester, it is oxidized to form a carbonyl group. One can then obtain a hydroxylated product by hydrolysis of the product ester. Because of the labile nature of the nitrile group on the side chain, care must be taken to control the reaction conditions, especially when using a strongly acidic oxidizing medium such as Jones reagent. It is preferred to effect hydration and oxidation in one step without isolating the intermediate hydration product. I I

In the second step (K) bicyclic compound XI is treated with acid or base to effect cyclization to XII. When acid is used as the catalyst, it is preferred that the water of reaction be removed, as by refluxing the reaction mixture with an azeotropic agent and separating the water from the condensate. It is preferred 'to effect the cyclization by a base catalyzed dehydration using only a catalytic amount of a base, most preferably an compound XII is reduced to the corresponding alkyl group.

Compound XIII is next reacted (M) with either a lower alkanol or lower alkylene diol in the presence of a strong acid and a tri(lower alkyl) orthoformate to afford a k'etal of structure XIV. Where Z in compound XV is a carbonyl group, it is also ketalized. When the alkali metal hydroxide. The use of only a small amount 1 other reaction conditions of temperature and pressure are chosen so that only the desired double bond is re duced and the potentially reducible nitrile group is left untouched. During this hydrogenation reaction, an alkenyl or alkynyl group substituted in the 7a-position of ketalizing agent is a lower alkanol there may be formed in addition to compound XIV an enol ether of structure XVII.

CN XVII where R,, R ,-Z" and m are as above.

m Compoundsof formula XIV and XVII need not be separated and can be carried through the remainder of the synthetic sequence as a mixture.

With all of the potential carbonyl groups of compound XIV protected-as lretals or enol ethers, thenitrile group is reacted with an organo metallic reagent followed. by an aqueous work-up as shown in Step N-to afford a "tricyclic ket'one of structure XVlIf, in compound XIV, Z is a group wherein R is acyloxy, such agroupwill be converted to a hydroxy group by the reaction conditions of Step N. Reacylation of this hydroxy group can be affected at a later stage.

In a f nalstep (O), the protective ketal groups of compound-XV "are removed and the resulting compound is cyclized to the steroid of structure XVI. This is conveniently done by treating compound XV with an aqueous acidfpreferably a mineral acid or an organic sulfonic acid. Steroids of structure XVI are well known intermedia es for the preparation of medicinally valuable steroids. I

For example, compounds of formula XVI can be selectively alkynylated by suitable organometallic acetylides affording norgestrel (l3,8-ethyl-l7a-ethynyl-l7B- hydroxy-gon-4-en-3-one). Exemplary of the suitable alkynylating agents to effect the conversion to norgestrel are the alkali acetylides such as lithium acetylide, potassium acetylide, sodium acetylide, etc. The reaction is carried out in the presence of liquid ammonia in a suitable solvent such as for example, benzene or toluene. The alkynylation is effected preferably at reflux temperature of the reaction medium although temperatures from between -60 to 30 are suitable. Exemplary of other suitable reagents to effect the acetylenic addition are lithium acetylide-ethylene diamine complex in dimethylformamide solvent and Grignard analogs such as mono and bis acetylene magnesium halides. The acetylene addition, known with l3-methylsubstituted steroids, is similarly effected with a more bulky l3-ethyl-substituted steroids notwithstanding the increased steric hindrance in the latter configuration.

Compound of formula XVI wherein Z is carbonyl can be converted into corresponding pregnane compounds, i.e., compounds in which Z is of the formula 14B, l7a-progesterone and des-A-androst-9-en-5,l7- dione can be converted into des-A-pregn-9-en-5-one. These procedures for converting androst-l7-ones into pregnanes are best effected if all carbonyl groups other than that in the l7-position are initially protected.

An alternative synthesis for steroids of structure XVI from tricyclic compounds of structure Ia involving the intermediacy of known compounds of structure XVll is depicted in Reaction Scheme III. Compounds of structure XVII can be prepared from those of structure la by reaction with an organo metallic agent followed by an aqueous work-up as shown in Reaction Step P. This process is carried out in an identical manner to that shown in Reaction Step N from Reaction Scheme II. If one desires compounds of structure XVII where Z is a carbonyl group, it is advisble to first protect the carbonyl group in compound Ia-l as a ketal by methods known per se and, after the completion of reaction Step P, the ketal can be hydrolyzed back to the carbonyl group. If one starts with compounds of structure Ia-2 or Ia-3, where R, is an acyl group, such a group will be hydrolyzed during the course of Reaction Step P to a hydroxy group. Such a hydroxy group can, if desired, be reacylated in the usual manner. Where, in compound XVII, Z contains an R group which is alkenyl or alkynyl, such a group will be reduced to the corresponding alkyl group during the later conversion of compound XVII to steroids of the structure XVI.

REACTION SCHEME III 1. R CH M Ia VII R1701! 50 by known procedures. Thus, for example, l9-nor- 14B- andros-4-en-3,l7-dione can be converted into l9-norwhere R R R Z and m are as previously defined and R is lower alkyl.

CHART FOR REACTION SCHEME III Conditions Reagents lvent Step Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Operable Preferred Remarks P THE SAME AS IN STEP N Q a. lower alkanols, e.g. a. methanol lower alkanols. c.g. methanol 0 to l00 20 to 30 methanol methanol; ethers, b. lower alkyl orthob. trimethyle.g. tetrahydrofuran.

formates, e.g. orthotrimethylorthoformate formate c. mineral acids, e.g. c. boronsulfuric acid; trifluororganic sulfonic ide acids, e.g., paratoluene-sulfonic acid; Lewis acids, eg. boron trifluoride. R THE SAME AS IN STEP N S THE SAME AS IN STEP F An alternative synthesis of compounds of structure XVII is depicted in Reaction Scheme 11 starting with compounds of structure VII. In the first step, Reaction Step Q, the hemiketal function of compound V11 is protected as the ketal function by reaction with a lower alkanol and a tri(lower alkyl) orthoformate in the presence of a strong acid such as a Lewis acid, preferably boron trifluoride.

In the next step (R) compound XVIII is reacted with an organo metallic agent followed by an aqueous workup to afford a compound of structure XIX. This reaction is carried out in the same manner as that shown in Step N of Reaction Scheme II. The resulting ketone is then reacted in Step S with a 2-'alkylcycloalkan-l,3- dione in a manner identical with that shown in Step F of Reaction Scheme I to afford compounds of structure XVII where Z is carbonyl.

In the claims, all compounds shall be construed to include, independently, the racemic form of the compound and independently, each enantiomeric form, i.e. d and l configurations unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The following examples are illustrative. All temperatures are in degrees Centigrade and all products having centers of asymmetry are racemic unless specifically indicated otherwise.

EXAMPLE 1 A solution of 347.4 g. (1.67 moles) of 2,2-di-(3- cyanopropyl)-1,3-dioxolane in 1.5 1. of acetone was cooled to 10 and treated with 1 1. of a cold (10) 3N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours then concentrated to a volume of approximately 1.5 1. at 40 and aspirator pressure. The organic materials were extracted with methylene chloride (1 X 600 ml. and 3 X 300 ml.) and the combined organic extracts were washed with saturated brine (2 X 200 ml.) dried and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 276 g. of oily 5-oxoazeleonitrile.

A sample of this material on distillation yielded pure 5oxoaze1eonitri1e, b.p. l37140/0.05 mm., as a col orless liquid. ir: v s 2250 (C I N) and 1710 (C=O) cm.

Anal. calcd. for C H N O: C, 65.83; Found: C, 66.08;

H, 7.37; N, 17.06 H, 7.46; N, 17.07.

EXAMPLE 2 water was added to a cooled (5), stirred solution of 33.

g. (0.873 mole) of sodium borohydride in 300 ml. of water. The temperature was held at 510 during the addition. After addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at room temperature 90 minutes.

Dilute aqueous sulfuric acid solution (4N) was added to the reaction mixture with cooling until pH 2-3. The organic materials were extracted with methylene chloride (1 X 500 ml., 2 X 250 ml. and 2 X 125 ml.). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (l X 200 m1.) and dried. Removal of solvents at reduced pressure gave 272 g. (98%) of 5- hydroxyazeleonitrile as a colorless, mobile liquid.

Anal. calcd. for C H N O: C, 6

5.03; H, 8.49; N, 16.85; Found: C, 64.92; H, 8.35; N, 16,68.

EXAMPLE 3 A solution of 272 g. (1.64 moles) of crude 5- hydroxyazeleonitrile in 1.5 1 of toluene was treated with 312 g. (1.64 moles) of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. The starting materials dissolved and were replaced by a precipitate of'ammonium tosylate which, after cooling was filtered off with suction and washed with fresh toluene (2 X 500 ml.).

The combined filtrate and washings were washed with water (3 X 100 ml.) dried and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue on distillation furnished pure 8-cyano-5-hydroxyoctanoic acid lactone (214 g.; 78.2%), b.p. 162l65/0.2 mm. ir: v a 2250 (C E N), 1730 and 1250 (o-lactone) cm.

Anal. calcd. for C H NO C, 64.

65; H, N, 8.38; Found: C, 6 ,63; H 8 18 EXAMPLE 4 A stirred solution of 8.35 g. (0.05 mole) of S-cyano- S-hydroxyoctanoic acid lactone in 40 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) was cooled to -70 and treated over 14 minutes with 38 ml. (0.076 mole) of a solution of vinylmagnesium chloride in THF (2M). The mixture was then stirred for 6 minutes at cooled to -65 and decomposed with 2 m1. of methanol and subsequently with aqueous ammonium chloride solution 50 (5%; 50 ml. 4 the cooling bath was removed for the 0 reduced last addition and the temperature rose to 10). Sufficient acetic acid was added to yield two clear layers (pH still on basic side).

The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with THF (100 ml. and 2 X 50 m1.) and the combined THF solutions containing 6-(3- cyanopropyl)-2-vinyltetrahydropyran-2-0l were treated with 10 ml. of diethylamine and left at room temperature for 1.5-2 hours. Removal of solvents at pressure yielded crude 2-( 2- diethylaminoethyl)-6-(3-cyanopropyl)tetrahydropyran-2-ol (17 g.) as an oil. t

This material was treated with 50 ml. of 10% aqueous acetic acid and 20 ml. of ether. The aqueous layer was reextracted with 20 ml. of additional ether and the combined ether extracts were reextracted with 10% aqueous acetic acid (2 X 25 ml.) then discarded. The combined aqueous acid extracts was made alkaline with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and the Mannich base was isolated by extraction with methylene chloride (5 X 20 ml.). Solvent removal at reduced pressure gave the pure 2-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-6-(3- cyanopropyl)-tetrahydropyran-2-ol (10.84 g.; 81% as a mobile, pale-yellow oil.

ir: v 3150, 3450 (bonded OH and NH), 2250 (C i N), 1710 (weak C=O of open form).

Anal. calcd. for C H N O C, 67.12; H, 10, Found: C, 67.15; H, 10.

EXAMPLE 5 A solution of 18.92 g. (0.0706 mole) of Mannich base from Example 4, 8.72 g. (0.0778 mole) of 2-methyll ,3-cyclopentandione 64 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 253 ml. of toluene was stirred and refluxed for 1.5 hours. After cooling, the solution was washed twice with 100 ml. portions of water, once with 100 ml. of 0.5N aqueous HCl, twice with 100 ml. portions of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 16.3 g. (85.4%) of orange solid dienolether mixture which was essentially homogeneous on tlc analysis. Recrystallization from 20 ml. of ethanol gave 11.54 g. (60.4%) of pale orange crystals, m.p. 95-99. By further recrysta1- lization of a sample from ethanol an analytical specimen 3-(3-cyqnopropyl)-6amethyl-1 ,2 ,3 ,5 ,6 ,6ahexahydrocyclopenta-[f][ 1 ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one was obtained as pale-yellow crystals, m.p. 100-l01.5. uv: A 253 p. (619500); ir: v f' a2250 (C i N), 1730 (C=O), 1630 (C=C) cm ;nmr: fi s 5.47 (triplet, J=2 Hz, l -l -C=C, l proton), 3.85 (multiplet, I;ICO, 1 proton), 1.14 (singlets, C -CH 3 protons) ppm; Mass spectrum m/e 271 O 7.80; Found: C, 7 7.75;

EXAMPLE 6 A solution of 6 g. (0.0222 mole) of dienolether from Example 5 in 35 ml. of benzene was added dropwise, over a minute period to an ice-cold solution of 0.864 g. (0.0228 mole) of sodium borohydride in 50 m1. of ethanol and 5 ml. of water. The resulting mixture was stirred with ice-bath cooling for 25 minutes then the cooling bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for an additional minutes. The mixture was poured into aqueous brine and the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with ether. The combined organic solutions were washed once with brine, dried and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 6 g. of yellow, solid 3-( 3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl-l ,2,3,5 ,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopypran-7B-ol. TLC analysis showed a single spot and the absence of starting ketone.

ir: v f' a 3450, 3600 (OH), 2250 (C r N), 1640 (dienolether) cm".

EXAMPLE 7 The above crude alcohol from Example 6 (6 g.) in 35 ml. of toluene and 25 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was hydrogenated over 1 g. of preequilibrated AK-4 5% palladium on carbon at room temperature and 1 atm. for 23 hours. A total of 543 ml. of hydrogen was consumed (555 ml. theory for 0.022 mole). The catalyst was filtered with suction on a pad of Celite and the filter cake was washed well with toluene. The combined filtrate and washes were concentrated at reduced pressure giving 6.65 g. of 6a,9a-trans-3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6amethyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopenta[ l ]benzopyran-7fi-ol as a paleyellow foam. ir: v 3480 (OH), 1680 (enolether), 2250 (C E N) cm. The peak due to the .dienolether at 1640 cm was completely absent.

EXAMPLE 8 The above crude enolether from Example 7 (6.65 g.) was dissolved in ml. of acetone and treated with 15 ml. of 0.5N aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperaturefor 3.5 hours. This solution containing 6a,9a-trans-3-(3- cyanopropyl)6a-methyl-perhydrocyclopenta[f][ l] benzopyran-4a,7B-diol was then cooled using an icebath and treated with 16.5 ml. of Jones reagent (4N with respect to OH groups), dropwise, over 15 minutes. The ice-bath was removed and the resulting red mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3% hours. After decomposition of the excess oxidant with sodium bisulfite, the mixture was diluted with brine and benzene and the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted three times with benzene and once with ether. The combined organic solutions were washed three times with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and the combined washings were back extracted once with ether. The total organic solution was dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 5.93 g. (92.5%) of 4-(3-oxo-6-cyano-1- hexyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-7a-methyll ,5(6H indandione as an orange oil. ir: v 2250 (C i N), 1745 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1715 (cyclohexanone and aliphatic C=O) cm. TLC analysis showed the major spot due to the triketone with R, 0.28.

EXAMPLE 9 A solution of 3.983 g. (0.01066 mole) of crude triketone prepared in Example 8 in 20 ml. of methanol was treated with 10 ml. of 0.1M methanolic potassium hydroxide solution. The resulting dark brown solution was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into brine and extracted twice with ether and once with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 2.8 g. (93.8%) of crude trans-anti-6-(2-cyanoethyl)-3a-methyll,2,3a,4,5 ,9,9a,9b-octahydro-3H-benzl e] inden- 3,7(8H)-dione as a brown solid. Recrystallization from ethanol gave 1.5 g. (50.2%) of pale yellow crystals, m.p. l05-107 (homogeneous on tlc analysis, R, 0.33 The analytical specimen. was obtained as white crystals, m.p. l06-107, by further recrystallization of a sample from ethanol.

ir: v f a 2250 (C E N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1665 (cyclohexenone C=O), 1605 (C=C) cm; uv: A f 245 (15640) u, nmr: 6 1.03 (singlet, 13 l3) pp Anal. calcd. for C, H ,NO C, 75.24;

Found: C, 75.51

EXAMPLE 10 A solution of 2.853 g. (0.0099 mole) of crude triketone prepared in Example 8 and 0.637 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in 130 ml. of toluene was stirred and refluxed, under nitrogen using a Dean-Stark trap for 4.5 hours after vigorous refluxing began. The mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 13.5 hours then washed twice with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The combined washings were back extracted twice with methylene chloride. The combined organic solutions were dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 2.728 g. of an orange semi-solid residue.

This material was triturated under ethyl acetate and the solid was suction filtered and washed until essentially colorless with ethyl acetate. The combined filtrate and washings were concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue chromatographed on 100 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 4:1 benzene: ether gave 0.866 g. (32.3%) of crystalline 6-(2-cyanoethyl)- 3a-methyl-l ,2,3a,4,5 ,9,9a,9b-octahydro-3H-benz[e- ]inden-3,7(8H)-dione. This was recrystallized from ethanol giving 0.681 g. of pale-yellow solid, m.p. 105107.

EXAMPLE 1 1 A solution of 1.03 g. (3.82 moles) of enedione prepared in Example 9 in 25 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran and 0.7 m1. of triethylamine was stirred in an atmosphere of hydrogen over 0.25 g. of preequilibrated AK-4 palladium on carbon. After 40 minutes, 102 ml. of hydrogen was absorbed (96 ml. theory) and the hydrogenation was stopped. The catalyst was filtered and washed with ether and the combined filtrate and washings were concentrated at reduced pressure giving 1 g. of colorless, solid residue. This was crystallized from ethanol giving 805 mg. (77.4%) of colorless transanti-trans-anti-6-(2-cyanoethyl)-3a-methyl- 1,2,3a,4,5 ,5a,8,9,9a,9b-decahydrobenz[elinden- 3,7(6l-l)dione, m.p. 130-132. TLC analysis showed a single spot, R, 0.31 (no uv.). An analytical specimen was obtained, m.p. 132-l33, by further recrystallization from ethanol.

ir: v f' a 2250 (C a N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1710 (cyclohexanone C=O) cm nmrz' STMSCDCJ 0.98 (singlet, C -CB ppm; mass spectrum m/e 273 (M Anal. calcd. for c H NO z C, 74.69; H. 8.48

Found: C, 74.49; H. 8.49,

EXAMPLE 12 A solution of 0.1 g. (0.366 mole) of cyanodione prepared in Example 11, 0.22 ml. of trimethylorthoformate, 0.02 ml. of borontrifluoride etherate and 10 ml. of methanol was stirred at room temperature for0.5 hours then poured into excess saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted three times with ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.121 g. of an oil. TLC analysis showed an elongated spot, R, 0.48 and no starting material present. ir: v 2250 (C N), 2840 (OCl-l 1680 (enolether), 1160, 1110, 1080, 1050 cm (no Ol-l, essentially no C=O). The nmr spectrum showed OCH singlets at 6 3.28, 3.24 and 3.22 ppm and a weak band at 83.50 possibly due to the vinyl proton of an enolether. The integration indicated 3 OCH groups per molecule.

Thefmixture appeared to consist of trans-anti-transanti-3,3,7,7-tetramethoxy-3a-methyl-6(2- I cyanoethyl)per hydro-1H-benz[e]indene and an enol ether at the 6,7- or 7,8-position resulting from loss of one molecule of methanol. 3

EXAMPLE 13 A solution of 0.134 g. of the crude ketal-enolether mixture from Example 12 in 10 ml. of anhydrous ether was stirred with cooling in an ice-salt bath at -10 0 while 0.8 ml. (1.6 moles) of 2M ethereal methyllithium was quickly added from a syringe. The resulting mixture was stirred at 100 for 1.5 hours then treated with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The ether layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with ether. The combined ether solutions were washed with saturated brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure. This gave 0.147 g. of pale-yellow oily mixture of trans-anti-transanti-3 ,3 ,7 ,7-tetramethoxy-3a-methyl-6( 3-oxo- 1 butyl)perhydro-11-1-benz[e]indene and the corresponding enol ether. The infrared spectrum indicated the reaction was complete: v 2835 (OCl-l 1710 (ketone C=O), 1680 (enolether) cm" (no C i N).

EXAMPLE 14 A solution of 0.1 g. 0.366 mole) of trans-anti-transanti-6-(2-cyanoethyl)-3a-methyl-l ,2,3a,4,5,5a,8,9- ,9a,9b-decahydrobenz e]inden-3,7(6H) dione in 5 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran was treated with 0.226 g. (3.66 moles) of ethylene glycol, 0.2 ml. of trimethyl orthoformate and 0.01 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid. The

resulting solution was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen, for 1.5 hours then poured into excess 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. After dilution with brine, the mixture was extracted three times with ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 133 mg. of colorless, crystalline product. TLC analysis showed a major spot, R, 0.50 and a very weak impurity R; 0.76. No starting material, R; 0.40 was detectable.

This material was combined with the product from an identical run (0.111 g.; 0.244 g. total) and chromatographed on 25 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 1:1 benzene: ether gave 0.229 g. (86.8%) ofpure transanti-trans-anti-3,3,7,7-bis (ethylenedioxy)-3a-methyl- 6-(2-cyanoethyl)perhydro-1H-benz[e]indene as a colorless solid. (TLC, R,0.5). Two recrystallizations from ether gave colorless crystals, m.p. 118.5l20.5. ir: v a 2250 (C E N), 1160, 1105, 1050 cm"; nmr: S 3.94, 3.86 (singlets, 8 ethylene ketal protons), 0.87 (singlet, C -CH ppm; mass spectrum m/e 361 (M Anal. calcd. for C ,H ,NO,: C, 69.77; H, 8. Found: C, 69.87; H, 8.

EXAMPLE 15 An ethereal methyllithium solution (4.3 m1.; 2M; 8.6 moles) was cooled to l (ice-salt bath) and stirred while a solution of 0.711 g. (1.97 moles) of bis-ketal nitrile prepared in Example 14 in 15 ml. of anhydrous ether and ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added over a 3 minute period. The reaction mixture was stirred at 5 for 1 hour then ml. of water was added and stirring was continued at room temperature for 30 minutes. After dilution with saturated brine, the ether layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The combined ether layers were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.719 g. (96.5%) of essentially pure trans-anti-trans-anti-3,3,7,7-bis(ethylenedioxy)- 3a-methyl-6-(3-oxo-1-butyl)perhydro-1H- benz[e]indene as a colorless solid. TLC analysis showed essentially one spot R, 0.37.

A sample was chromatographed on silica gel and recrystallized from ether giving fluffy white solid, m.p. 122-l23. ir: v a 1715 (aliphatic ketone C=O), 1160, 1 105, 1050, 1040, 950 cm.

EXAMPLE 16 A solution of 0.088 g. (0.23 mole) of the crude mixture from Example 13 in 5 ml. of methanol and 1 ml. of 4N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with benzene and washed with saturated brine. The organic layer was dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.063 g. of crude, crystalline 19-norandros-4-en-3,l7-dione. TLC analysis showed the main spot R, 0.27 (identical R; to that of authentic l9-norandrostendione) and a minor impurity, R, 0.42.

This material was chromatographed on 5 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 4:1 and 1:1 benzenezether afforded 0.053 g. (84.8%) of colorless crystals which were homogeneous on TLC analysis. Recrystallization from aqueous methanol gave 0.038 g. (60.8%) of colorless crystals, m.p. l55157. ir: v,,,,,,""" 1735 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1665 (enone C=O), 1620 (C=C); uv: A f 240 1.4. (e15650).

EXAMPLE 17 A solution of 0.538 g. (1.47 moles) of bis-ketal from Example in 20 ml. of methanol and 6 ml. of 4N aqueous hydrochloric acid was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, then cooled, diluted with brine and extracted three times with ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.352 g. (87%) of colorless, crystalline l9-norandrostendione. This material was homogeneous on TLC analysis, R, 0.36. Recrystallization from aqueous methanol gave 0.254 g. (62.7%) of colorless crystals, m.p. 155-156.5.

uv: h 240 .t (617400).

EXAMPLE 18 An 18.0 g. sample of 2-ethylcyclopentan-l,3-dione was dissolved in 500 ml. of 4:1 toluenezglacial acetic acid and treated with a solution of 20.15 g. of Mannich base from Example 4 in 200 ml. of 4:1 toluenezglacial acetic acid. The resulting solution was stirred and heated under reflux for 0.5 hour then refluxed azeotropically for 1.5 hour using a Dean-Stark trap. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with ml. of toluene and washed with water (2 X 200 ml.). Each aqueous portion was reextracted with toluene (2 X 200 ml.). The combined organic extracts were washed with saturated brine (1 X 200 ml.) then dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 20.38 g. (93.5%) of 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl- 1,2,3 ,5,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran- 7(8H)-one which showed one spot, R, 0.50, on TLC analysis.

From another experiment, on a smaller scale, using the same procedure as above, the crude product was purified by chromatography on silica gel. Elution with 9:1 and 4:1 benzene: ether gave pure dienolether mixture. ir: v f' s 2250 (C N), 1730 (cyclopentanone) (C=O), 1640(dienolether) cm; uv: A f 254 p. (12650); nmr: fi 5.51 (triplet, J=2l-lz, CB=C, 1 proton), and 3.80 (multiplet, C H, l proton), 2.94 (multiplet, C H, 2protons) and 0.83 (triplet, J=8Hz, 6a-CH CH 3 protons) ppm.

Anal. calcd. for C H No z C, 75. Found: C, 75.

EXAMPLE 19 The crude mixture of dienolether from Example 18 (20.38 g.) in ml. of benzene was added to a stirred solution of 6 g. of sodium borohydride in ml. of ethanol and 15 ml. of water at 0. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 for 30 minutes then at room temperature for 1 hour. Water (200 ml.) was added along with 100 ml. of benzene. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted three times with benzene. Each organic extract was washed twice with saturated brine, then combined, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 21.7 g. of yelloworange 3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7B-ol. TLC analysis showed a single spot, R; 0.48 and no starting ketone.

nolether) cm' EXAMPLE 20 The dienolether from Example 19 (21.7 g.) in 500 ml. of toluene was hydrogenated over 4 g. of AK-4 5% palladium on carbon at room temperature and l atmosphere for 6 hours. A total of 1725 ml. of hydrogen was absorbed during this period. The catalyst was filtered with suction through celite and the filter cake was washed well with fresh toluene. The combined filtrate and washings were concentrated at reduced pressure giving 20.15 g. of yellow oily 6a,9a-trans-3-(3- cyanopropyl)-6a-ethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopenta[f][ 1 ]benzopyran-7B-ol.

ir: v 3475 (OH), 2250 (C E N), 1680 (enolether) cm; the band at 1650 cm due to the dienolether was absent.

EXAMPLE 21 (3-cyanopropyl)-6a-ethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ 1]benzopyran-4a,7B-diol was cooled to (ice-bath) while 80 ml. of Jones reagent was added dropwise over minutes. After stirring at room temperature for 3 hours, the excess oxidizing agent was decomposed with sodium bisulfite solution. Saturated brine (200 ml.) was added and the mixture was extracted with benzene (3 X 200 ml.). Each benzene extract was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (2 X 200 ml.) and brine (2 X 200 ml.). The combined organic solution was dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 14.2 g. (66%) of red, 3a,7a-trans-4-(3-oxo-6-cyano-1- hexyl )-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-7a-ethyl-1 ,5(6H indandione.

ir: v 2250 (C I N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1715 (saturated aliphatic and cyclohexanone C=O) cm (no OH present).

EXAMPLE 22 A 6.0 g. sample of the crude triketone from Example 21 was dissolved in 50 ml. of ethanol and ml. of 0.1N methanolic potassium hydroxide then stirred and heated under reflux for 1.5 hours. The methanol was evaporated at reduced pressure and the residue was treated with saturated brine (100 ml.) and extracted with benzene (3 X 200 ml.). Each benzene extract was washed with brine (2 X 100 ml.). The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 5.3 g. of dark red, oily product. uv: A f 246 #(610300), 300 (915).

This material was chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 4:1 and 2:1 benzenezether which were homogeneous on TLC analysis (R; 0.4; strong uv spot) gave 2.55 g. of pale-yellow oil. The other fractions (1.10 g.) showed the presence of a slower moving impurity, R,0.3 (-70% desired material present).

One of the purer fractions was rechromatographed on silica gel giving trans-anti-6-(2-cyanoethyl)-3aethyl-l,2,3a,4,5,9,9a, 9b-octahydro-3H-benz[e]inden- 3,7(8H)-dione as a colorless oil with the following physical properties: ir: v a 2255 (C I N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1670 (a,B-unsaturated ketone C=O), 1600 Anal. calcd. for C H NO C, 7 5; H, 8.12;

5.7 Found: C, 75.7 7.9

EXAMPLE 23 A 4.0 g. sample of the crude triketone from Example 21 was dissolved in 200 ml. of toluene and 0.90 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was added. The mixture was stirred and brought to reflux over 1 hour then refluxed with azeotropic removal of water (Dean- Stark trap) for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2 X ml.), and saturated brine (1 X 100 ml.). The aqueous washings were back extracted with methylene chloride (3 X 100 ml.). The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 3.5 g. of an orange semi-solid residue.

This material was triturated under ethyl acetate and the solid was filtered off and washed well with ethyl acetate until nearly colorless. The combined filtrate and washings from the above purification were concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed on g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 4:1 and 2:1 benzenezether gave 0.95 g. (25.2%) of pale-yellow oil. The ir spectrum and TLC of this material were identical to that of enedione prepared in Example 22.

EXAMPLE 24 decahydrobenz[e]inden-3,7(6H)dione. TLC analysis showed a single spot R, 0.4.

This material was chromatographed on 50 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 9:1, 4:1 and 2:1 benzenesether afforded 0.906 g. (78.5%) of colorless crystals. Recrystallization from 2-propanol gave the analytical specimen as colorless crystals, m.p. l 18.5-121.0. ir: v a 2250 (C is N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1715 (cyclohexanone C4D cm.

Anal. calcd. for C H NO z C, 75

.22; H, 8.77; N, 4.87; Found: C, 75.40; H, 9.07; 4.87.

EXAMPLE 25 A pure sample of dione from Example 24 (0.2 g.) was dissolved in 5 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran and treated with 0.5 ml. of ethylene glycol, 0.5 ml. of trimethylorthoformate and 0.01 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 5.5 hours. At the end of this time TLC analysis showed a single spot, R, 0.48 and no starting material present. After addition of several drops of triethylamine then 2 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide, the mixture was extracted three times with benzene. The combined organic extracts were washed twice with saturated brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.264 g. (100%) of crude transanti-trans-anti-3,3,7,7-bis(ethylenedioxy)-3a-ethyl- 6(2-cyanoethyl) perhydro-lH-benz[e]indene as a beige powder. Recrystallization from 2 propanol gave 0.214 g. of colorless crystals, m.p. 127.5l29.5. ir: v g' s 2250 c E N), 1160, 1100, 1050 cm; nmr: fi a 3.96, 3.86 (singlets, 8 ethylene ketal protons) ppm.

Anal. calcd. for C H NO C, 70.37; H, 8.86; N, 3.73; Found: C, 70.32; H, 8.56; N, 3.52.

EXAMPLE 26 A solution of 0.164 g. of pure diketal nitrile from Example 25 in 25 ml. of anhydrous ether was added dropwise from a syringe to a solution of 2 ml. of -2M ethereal methyllithium in 5 ml. of anhydrous ether at l5. The mixture was stirred at 10 for 1.75 hours then decomposed by the addition of 2 ml. of water at After stirring at room temperature for 1.5 hours, the mixture was extracted three times with ether and the combined ether extracts were washed twice with saturated brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure. This gave 0.165 g. (97%) of trans-anti-trans-anti- 3,3,7,7-bis(ethylenedioxy)-3a-ethyl-6-(3-oxo-1- butyl)perhydro-1H-benz[e]indene as a beige solid. TLC analysis showed a major spot, R; 0.42 and a trace of a faster moving spot, the R; of which corresponded to that of the starting nitrile.

This material was recrystallized from 2-propanol giving 0.082 g. of colorless, fluffy crystals, m.p. l l6-l 19. ir: v,,,,,,."" 1710 (ketone C=O), 1155, 1100, 1055 cm; nmr: fi a 3.88, 3.82 (singlets, 8 ethylene ketal protons), 2.06 singlet, CH --CO, 3 protons) ppm.

EXAMPLE 27 A solution of 0.124 g. of diketal from Example 26 in 7 ml. of methanol and 2 ml. of 4N aqueous hydrochloric acid was refluxed for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was treated with saturated brine and extracted three times with benzene. The combined organic extracts were washed once with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, once with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure. This gave 0.1 10 g. of crude, yellow crystalline l3B'ethylgon-4-en-3,l7-dione which showed essentially one strongly UV fluorescent spot, R, 0.4 on TLC analysis.

This material was chromatographed on g. of silica gel. The fractions eluuted with 2:1 and 1:1 benzene:e-

ther gave 0.083 g. (92%) of pale-yellow crystalline material. Recrystallization from methanol afforded 0.056 g. of pure product as colorless crystals, m.p. l56l59. ir: v a 1735 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1670 (a,B-unsaturated ketone C=O), 1625 (C=C) cm; uv: X 230 m,u(el 8000); nmr: S a 5.82 (singlet, C lj, l proton), 0.81 (triplet, -CH Cl ;l 3 protons) ppm.

EXAMPLE 28 A 16.7 g. (0.1 mole) sample of the lactone prepared in Example 3 was treated with 76 ml. (0.16 mole) of 2.1M vinylmagnesium chloride solution in THF using the procedure described in Example 4. After the same work-up the THF extracts [containing 6-(3- cyanopropyl)-2-vinyltetrahydropyran-2-ol] were then treated with 12.1 g. of ()-S-a-methylbe'nzylamine and left at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvents were removed at reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in a mixture of 125 ml. of acetone and 125 ml. of 1.5N aqueous sulfuric acid solution. After 15 minutes at room temperature this mixture was extracted with ml. of n-hexane and the hexane extract was reextracted with 30 ml. of 1:1 acetone: 1N aqueous sulphuric acid.

The combined acid aqueous extract was made alkaline with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and the Mannich base (2-[2-(S-a-phenethylamino)ethyl]- 6-(3-cyanopropyl)-tetrahydropyran-2-ol) was isolated by ether extraction of (1 X 100 ml.; 3 X 50 ml.). The combined ether solutions were washed with brine, dried and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 28.5 g. of residue.

This material was dissolved in 65 ml. of acetone and added to a solution of 9.2 g. of oxalic acid in 65 ml. of acetone and left at room temperature for 24 hours. The solids were filtered with suction and washed with 25 ml. of acetone and 60 ml. of 1:1 acetonezisopropyl ether mixture and dried under high vacuum over P 0 The white solid (10.5 g., m.p. l07l 1 1 (Hot Stage), [a],,33.8) was recrystallized from 50 ml. of acetonitrile to yield 9.33 g. (46%) of pure 2S,6R 2-[2-(S-aphenethylamino)ethyl]-6-(3-cyanopropyl)-tetrahydropyran-2-ol oxalate m'.p. 108l2 (Hot Stage), [a],,36.6 (C=2.26, CH OH). The analytical specimen, obtained by several recrystallizations of a sample from acetone showed m.p. l08l09 (capillary), [a],,-35.28 (C=l.0, CH OH).

Anal. calcd. for C H N O- C H O C, 62.05; H, 7.44; N, 6.89; Found: C, 62.37; H, 7.65; N, 6.84.

EXAMPLE 29 Anal. calcd. for c,,11,,,N,o,= C, 1

Found: C,

EXAMPLE 30 A mixture of 4.55 g. of the free base from Example 29 1 10 ml. of methanol, 0.460 g. of sodium bicarbonate and 2.0 g. of freshly distilled benzaldehyde was stirred and heated at reflux for 8.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then concentrated to a volume of 10 ml., diluted with saturated brine and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 6.4 g. of oily product. This was chromatographed on 65 g. of silica gel. Elution with ether, 4:1 and 2:1 etherzethyl acetate afforded 3.07 g. (92%) of pure 2S,6R,2-(2-methoxyethyl)-6-(3- cyanopropyl)tetrahydropyran-Z-ol as an oil. ir: v f 3470 (01-1), 2250 (C E N), and 1720 (ketone C=O) cm.

EXAMPLE 3 1 A mixture of 2.27 g. of methanol adduct from Example 30 1.35 g. of 2-methylcyclopentan-l,3-dione, 40 ml. of toluene and 20 ml. of acetic acid was stirred and heated at 1 10 for 5 hours. The bath temperature was then raised to 140 for 1 hour, during which time azeotropic distillation of water into a Dean-Stark trap was carried out. The cooled mixture was washed with saturated brine, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with brine. The aqueous washings were reextracted with benzene and the combined benzene solutions were dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded 2.8 g. of a crude, crystalline mixture of 3S,6aS and 3S,6a R-3(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl- 1,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopenta[f][l]benzopyran- 7(8H)-one which was chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 1911 benzenezether furnished 2.02 g. of solid m.p. 72-96, [a] -150.86 (C=0.9207 in chloroform).

This material was recrystallized from 9 ml. of 2- propanol giving 1.02 g. (37.7%) of pure 3S,6aS,3-(3- cyanopropyl)-6a-methyll ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[ f] 1 benzopyran-7( 81-1 )-one m.p. 10l104, [a],, 182.0 (C=l.0 in chloroform). A sample was recrystallized several times to afford an analytical sample m.p. 102104, [a] 184.42 (C=l.0335 in CHCl ir: v f' 2250 (C i N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O) and 1640 (dienolether) cm uv: )t 254 mfi(e18800); nmr: S 5.41 (triplet, J=21-1z, 1;1C=, 1 proton); 3.78 (multiplet, 1;l--C-O, 1 proton), 1.10 (singlet, C -CH 3 protons) ppm.

Anal. calcd. for C H NO C, 75.24; H, 7.80;- Found: C, 75.17; H, 7.95.

EXAMPLE 32 A solution of 1.02 g. of dienolether from Example 31 in 6 ml. of ethanol and 5 ml. of benzene was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 0.25 g. of sodium borohydride in 5 ml. of water and 5 ml. of ethanol at 0. After stirring at room temperature for 15 minutes, the reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried, filtered and con- Anal. calcd. for C,-,H NO C, 74.69;

H, 8.48; Found: C, 7 H, 8.61.

EXAMPLE 33 A solution of 0.75 g. of dienolether from Example 32 in 15 ml. of dry ether and 5 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise to 1 1 ml. of a 2M ethereal methylmagnesium chloride solution with stirring, at 0. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 for 1 hour and at room temperature for 4 hours, then poured into saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted with ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with brine and dried. Filtration and solvent removal gave 0.569 g. of crude product which was chromatographed on 30 g. of silica gel. The fractions eluted with 2:1 and 1:1 benzenezether and ether alone afforded pure, crystalline, 3S,6aS-3-(4-oxo-l-pentyl)-6amethy1-1,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran-7B-ol g.), [a],, 165.17(C=0.689 in CHCl ir: v i's 3620 (OH) 1720 (ketone C=O) and 1640 (dienolether) cm;

uv: A f 254 mp.(el8320).

EXAMPLE 34 A mixture of 130.5 mg. of dienolether from Example 33, 15 ml. of xylene and 1.3 g. of silver carbonate-celite reagent was stirred and heated under reflux for 1 hour. After cooling, the solids were filtered off and washed several times with benzene. The filtrate was evaporated at reduced pressure to give mg. of crude product which was chromatographed on 20 g. of silica gel. Elution with 19:1 and 4:1 benzenezether gave 60 mg. of 3S- ,6aS,3-(4-oxo-l-pentyl)-6a-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[ f] l]benzopyran-7(8l-l)-one m.p. 6770, [a] l57.95 (C=0.9883 in CHCl This material was recrystallized from aqueous methanol to give a pure sample m.p. 72.574, [a],, 163.90 (C=l.0427 in CHCl ir: v f' 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1710 (ketone C=O) and 1640 (dienolether) cm; uv: X f 253 m,u.(el9000).

EXAMPLE 35 A solution of methanol adduct from Example 30 (605 mg.) in methanol (6.0 ml.) and trimethylorthoformate. (0.9 ml.) was treated with borontrifluoride etherate (60 mg.). After the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes, it was treated with an additional 30 mg. of borontrifluoride etherate and stirred for another 15 minutes at room temperature.

The mixture was then poured into excess sodium bicarbonate solution and the resulting mixture was extracted with ether three times. The combined ether extract was washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded crude 2S,6R-2-methoxy-2-(2- methoxyethyl)-6-(3-cyanopropyl)-tetrahydropyran (590 mg.) as an oil.

ir: 2250 (C E N) cm. The absence of hy droxyl and ketone in the ir indicated that the reaction was complete. Chromatography on silica gel and elution with benzenezether 9:1 and 4:1 afforded a pure sample [a] 72.97 (C=l.l238 in chloroform) or [a] 63.46 (C=l.0385 in benzene);

ir: r/ s 2250 (C a N) cm; nmr: a 'a 3.30, 3.15 (singlets, 6 methoxy protons) ppm.

EXAMPLE 36 An ethereal methyllithium solution (1 1 ml.; 2M) was cooled to 15 and stirred while a solution of the product from Example 35 (1.25 g.) in ether (35 ml.) was added over a 10 minute period. After the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at -l an aliquot was removed and tracted with excess saturated aqueous bicarbonate solution. The TLC analysis showed essentially one spot (R; 0.35) plus some minor polar spots (R;0. l and 0.05). The absence of starting material (R, 0.4) indicated that the reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm up to 5C. and was treated with excess saturated bicarbonate solution. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The aqueous layer was then separated and extracted three times with ether. The combined ether layers were washed with brine and dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded crude 2S,6S-2- methoxy 2-(2-methoxyethyl)6-( rahydropyran (1.24 g.) as an oil. Chromatography on silica gel and elution with benzene-ether 1:1 afforded a pure sample as a colorless oil. [a],, 66.55 (C=l.0684 in chloroform) or [a] 63.47 (C=1.010 in benzene); ir: v f x 1710 (ketone C=O) cm nmr: fi a 3.31, 3.16 (singlets 6 methoxy protons) 2.13 (singlet, Clj CO, 3 protons) ppm.

4-oxol -pentyl)-tet- Anal. calcd. for C H, O C, 6 .08;

5 10.14; Found: C, 65.10; I

EXAMPLE 37 was then raised to 140 for 1 hour. The cooled mixture was washed with water, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine. The aqueous layers were reextracted with benzene and the combined benzene extracts were washed again with brine. Drying and solvent removal afforded crude crystalline 3S,6aS, 3-(4- oxo-1-pentyl)-6a-methyl- 1 ,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[f] [l]benzopyran-7( 8H)-one (1.02 g.). This material was dissolved in methanol (7 ml.) and slowly treated with water (3 ml.) over a period of 15 minutes. A first crop (421.6 mg.) was obtained, m.p. 67.5-72C., [a]D -157.5 (C= 1.01, in chloroform). The mother liquor from the crystallization was treated with more water (1.5 ml.) over a period of 1 hour. In this way a second crop (246.1 mg.) was obtained, m.p. 6l67C., [a] -147.7 (C=l.l3 in chloroform). The first and second crops were recrystallized together from aqueous methanol to afford a pure sample (528.4 mg.; 50%); m.p. 7l-74C; [a] l63.65 (C=0.933l in chloroform);

ir: v a 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1710 (ketone C=O), 1640 (dienolether) cm uv: A 254 mu(el8600).

EXAMPLE 38 A solution of dienolether from Example 32 (5.8 g.; crude reduction product) in toluene (30 ml.) and tetrahydrofuran (20 ml. dried over aluminum oxide grade 1) was hydrogenated under one atmosphere and room temperature using a 5% palladium on carbon catalyst (1.0 g., AK-4). The uptake (500 ml.) of hydrogen stopped after about 2 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and washed with THF. Solvent removal gave crude 3S,6aS, 6a,9a-trans-3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6a-methyl- 1,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopenta[f][l]benzopyran-7B-ol as an oil (5.66 g.). The ir spectrum showed absorptions 1680 cm (enolether), 2250 cm (nitrile) and 3620 cm (hydroxyl). This crude product was used for the next step.

EXAMPLE 39 A mixture of crude enolether from Example 38 (5.66 g.), acetone ml.) and 1N sulfuric acid (30 ml.)

was allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 hour. 1

The reaction mixture containing 3S,6aS,6a,9a-trans-3- (3-cyanopropyl)-6amethylperhydrocyc1openta[f] [l]benzopyran-4a,7[3- diol was then stirred and cooled to 0 and treated with freshly prepared Jones Reagent (21.5 ml.) over a period of 15 minutes. After addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Under cooling,

EXAMPLE 40 A mixture of triketone from Example 39 (4.6 g., crude), toluene (200 ml.) and p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate (1.0 g.) was stirred and refluxed, under nitrogen, using a Dean-Stark trap for 4.5 hours after vigorous refluxing began. The cooled solution was washed twice with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous layers were back extracted with methylene chloride and the combined organic solutions were dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded a semi-solid residue (4.0 g.). This material was triturated under ethyl acetate and the solid was suction filtered and washed with ethyl acetate. The combined filtrate and washings were concentrated and the residue (3.3 g.) chromatographed on silica gel (300 g.). Elution with benzenezethylacetate 2:1 and 1:1 afforded 1.93 g. oil, TLC one spot. A 1.1 g. sample of this material was rechromatographed on silica gel (100 g.). Elution with benzenezethylacetate 4:1 and 2:1 afforded (+)-transanti-6( 2-cyanoethyl)-3aB-methyll ,2,3a,4,5,9,9a,9boctahydro-3H-benz[e]inden-3,7( 8H )-dione' (541.9 mg., semicrystalline). This material was triturated with ether and a little benzene to afforded a pure sample (392.4 mg.) as colorless solid m.p. l11-1 17C., [a],, +52.5 (C=1.0 in chloroform). Recrystallization from 2-propanol afforded a pure analytical sample (308.6 mg.) m.p. ll6-119C., [a] +53.9 (C=0.9073 in chloroform).

ir: v a 2250 (C N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1665 (a,B-unsaturated ketone C=O), 1605 (C=C) cm uv: k 245 (e13400)m;.o; nmr: S 1.04 (singlet, C -C1 1 ppm.

Anal. calcd. for C H NO C, 7

EXAMPLE 41 A 12.2 g. sample of triketone from Example 39 was dissolved in 40 ml. of methanol and treated with 43 ml. of a methanolic potassium hydroxide solution (0.0132 g./ml.). After heating at reflux for 45 minutes, the reaction mixture was cooled, diluted with saturated brine and the organic materials were extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts were dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure. Recrystallization of the residue from 2-propanol gave 6.3 g. of pure (+)-trans-anti-6(Z-cyanoethyl)-3aB- methyl-1,2,3a,4,5,9,9a, 9b-octahydro-3H-benz[e]inden-3,7(8H)-dione, m.p. 115-117. [a] +55.l (C=l.5002; CHCl uv: A 243 m;t(e14000); ir: v,,,,,,"" 2250 (C E N), 1735 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1665 (cyclohexenone C=O) and 1603 (C=C) cm.

Anal. calcd. for C, H,,NO C, 75.25; H, 7.80; N, 5.16; Found: C, 74.98; H, 7.71; N, 5.

EXAMPLE 42 A solution of enedione from Example 41 (230 mg.) in dry tetrahydrofuran (8 ml.) and triethylamine (0.23 ml.) was stirred in an atmosphere of hydrogen over 5% palladium on carbon (46 mg., AK-4). After 2 hours, 30

ml. of hydrogen was absorbed (19 ml. theory). The hydrogenation was stopped, the catalyst was filtered off and washed with benzene and the combined filtrate and washings concentrated to give crude, semi-crystalline product (228 mg.). This product was triturated with 2- propanol (2 ml.) to afford (+)-trans-anti-trans-anti-6- (2-cyanoethyl)-3a,B-methyl-1,2,3a,4,5 ,5a,8,9,9a,9bdecahydrobenz[e]inden-3,7(61-1)-dione (190 mg.) as a whitesolid, m.p. 129-l34. An analytical specimen was obtained by recrystallization from 2-propanol, m.p. l35-136, [a] +78.91 (C=1.0354 in CHCl ir:. v,,,,,,"" 2250 (C E N), 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1710 (cyclohexanone C=O) cm; nmr: fi a 0.97 (singlet, C -CH ppm.

Anal. calcd. for c,,H ,No,; C, 74.69; H, 8.48; N, 5.12; Found: C, 74.60; H, 8.79; N, 5.13.

EXAMPLE 43 A solution of diketone from Example 42 (200 mg.), methanol (2 ml.) trimethylorthoformate (0.45 ml.) and borontrifluoride etherate (0.03 ml.) was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature and then poured into excess saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted three times with benzene. The combined benzene extracts were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded a crude oil (242 mg.). The ir of this sample still showed absorptions at 1740 and 1720 cm (cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone; approximately 30% starting material left).

A solution of the sample above (242 mg.) in methanol (2.0 ml.), trimethylorthoformate (0.5 ml.) and aqueous perchloric acid (0.02 ml.) was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled to 05C. and treated first with triethylamine (0.03 ml.) and then with sodium bicarbonate mg.). The mixture was poured into excess saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted three times with benzene. The combined benzene extracts were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded a crude oily mixture of trans-anti-trans-anti-3,3,7,7-tetramethoxy-3aB-methyl- 6-(2-cyanoethyl)perhydro-1H-benz[e]indene and an enol ether at the 6,7-or 7,8-position (241.1 mg.). ir: v 2840 (OCH 2250 (C E N), weak bands at 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1720 (cyclohexanone C=O) and 1670 (enolether) cm.

EXAMPLE 44 A solution of crude product from Example 43 (240 mg.) in anhydrous ether (15 ml.) was stirred with cooling in an ice-salt bath at -15 to 0, while 2M ethereal methyllithium( 1.5 m1., 3 mole) was quickly added from a syringe. The resulting mixture was stirred at -10 to 0 for 1.5 hours, then treated with excess saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The ether layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with ether. The combined ether solutions were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded a mixture of trans-anti-transanti-3 ,3 ,7,6-tetramethoxy-3al3-methyl-6-(3-oxo-1- butyl)perhydro-lH-benz[e]indene and the corresponding enol ether (194.8 mg.).

ir: v 2840 (OCl-l ),;1740 and 1720 (C=O, partial hydrolysis of ketals) and 1670 (enolether) cm The absence of nitrile at 2250 cm indicated that the reaction was complete. I

' EXAMPLE 45 A solution of diketone from Example 42 (190.0 mg.) in dry tetrahydrofuran (5.0 ml.) was treated with ethylene glycol (0.4 ml.), trimethylorthoformate (0.4 ml.) and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.02 ml.). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours and then treated first with triethylamine (0.04 ml.) and then with 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (2.0 ml.). The resulting mixture was extracted with benzene three times. The combined benzene layers were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded (253 mg.) of a crude solid. This material was recrystallized twice from 2 propanol to afford pure (+)-trans-anti-trans-anti- 3,3,7,7-bis(ethylenedioxy)-3aB-methyl-6-(2- cyanoethyl)perhydro-1H-benz[e]indene 169 mg.), m.p. 130-131C., [a] +0.67(C=1.O363 in CHCl ir: v f' 2250 (C i N) cm"; nmr: 'O 3.96, 3.86 (singlets, 8 ethylene ketal protons), 0.88 (singlet, sa l a) pp Anal. calcd. for C ll- N C, 69,77; H, 8.6 8.5

5; N, 3.88; Found: C, 69 93; H 0; N, 3.91.

EXAMPLE 46 ml.) was added over a 5 minute period. The reac-' tion mixture was stirred at to 0 for 30 minutes and then treated at 0 with water (3.0 ml.). After dilution with brine, the ether layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with ethere. The combined ether layers were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded the crude product (185.2 mg.) as an oil. This material was chromatographed on silica gel (18 g.). Elution with benzenezether 2:1 and 1:1 afforded pure ()-trans-antitrans-anti-3 ,3,7,7-bis( ethylenedioxy)3aB-methyl-6-( 3- oxo-l-butyl)perhydro-1H-benz[e]indene (151.5 mg., 82.5%) as a colorless solid, mp. 778lC., [a] 6.2 (C=1.0 CHCl ir: v s 1720 (ketone C=O) cm".

EXAMPLE 47 A solution of the mixture from Example 44 (194 mg.) in methanol (5 ml.) and 4N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (1.5 ml.) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with brine and extracted with benzene three times. The

[a],, +-l41.55 (C=l.0703 in chloroform). ir: v,,,,,,."'.'' 1.740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1655 (enone C=O), 1620 (C=C) cm uv: A 239 mp.(e17400). 5

Anal. calcd. for C H O C, 79.37; H, 8.88; Found: C, 79.41; H, 9.09.

EXAMPLE 48 A solution of keto bis-ketal from Example 46 (151.5

5 mg.) in methanol (4.5 ml.) and 4N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (1.5 ml.) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with brine and extracted with benzene three times. The

combined benzene layers were washed with brine and then dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded crude product (92.6 mg.) as a solid. Recrystallization from aqueous methanol gave pure d-(+)-19- norandrost-4-en-3,l7-dione (57.0 mg.) as a colorless needles, mp. l69-172C.; mixed m.p. with an authentic sample 169l7lC.; [a] -139.l5 (C=l.0492 in chloroform);

ir: v f' 'a 1740 (cyclopentanone C=O), 1665 (enone C=O), 1620 (C=C) cm; uv: )t f' 240 mv(el7720).

EXAMPLE 49 A solution of 0.5 g. (1.845 moles) of the dienol ether from Example 5 in 15 ml. of dry ether and 7 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran was stirred with cooling at 0 while 12.5 ml. (4.61 mole equivalent) of 0.369 M ethereal methylmagnesium chloride was added dropwise over 5 minutes. The resulting slurry was stirred at 0 for 1.5 hours, then treated with 5 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride, diluted with brine and extracted three times with ether. The ether extracts were combined, washed with brine, dried, filtered and concentrated at reduced pressure giving 0.58 g. of oily 3-(3cyanopropyl)- 6aB,7a-dimethyl- 1 ,2,3,5 ,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopentafi][l]ben2opyran-7B-ol. ir: 3450 (OH), 2250 (C i N), 1750 (trace-starting cyclopentanone), 1645 (dienolether) cm"). TLC analysis showed a new major spot of slower R, than the starting material as well as a trace of starting material.

The above compound may be converted to 170:- methyl-19-nor-testosterone, by proceeding in a manner similar to that described in Examples 7, 8, 9, 1 1, 14, 15 and 17 via the intermediates 6a,9a-trans-3-(3- cyanopropyl)-6aB,7a-dimethy1-l,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9a-

decahydrocyclopenta[f][l]benzopyran-7l3-ol, 6a,9atrans-3-(3-cyanopropyl)-6aB,7a-dimethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][1]benzopyran-4a,7B-diol, 3a,7- a trans-4-(3-oxo-6-cyano-l-hexyl)-3a,4,7,7a-

combined benzene layers were washed with brine and tetrahydro-laJaB'dimethYI'6HiHdaH5-0116, transthen dried. Filtration and solvent removal afforded Y Y fi crude product (136.2 mg.). This material was chro- 1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9a,9b-decahydrobenz[e]inden-7-one, matographed on silica gel (7.5 g.). Elution with bentrans-anti-trans-anti-6-(2-cyanoethyl)-3a,3aB- zenezethylacetate 9:1 and 4:1 afforded d-(+)-19- dimethyl-perhydrobenz[e]inden-3-one, trans-antinorandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (110.1 mg.), mp. 6 trans-anti-7,7-ethylenedioxy-3a,3aB-dimethyl-6-(2- 166-170, [a],, +13l.O (C=0.50 Cl-lCl Recrystallization from aqueous methanol gave a pure sample (54.7 mg.) as colorless needles, mp. 170.5-172,

cyanoethyl)perhydro-benz[e]inden-3B-ol, and transanti-trans-anti-7,7-ethylenedioxy-3a,3aB-dimethyl-6- (2-cyanoethyl )-perhydrobenz[ e linden-3&0]. 

1. 8-CYANO-5-HYDROXYOCTANOIC ACID LACTONE.
 2. A process for the preparation of 8-cyano-5-hydroxy-octanoic acid lactone which consists of treating 5-hydroXyazeleonitrile with an acidic medium having one mole equivalent of an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid and one mole equivalent of water at a temperature of about 20* to 150*C.
 3. A process as in claim 2 wherein the acidic medium has one mole equivalent of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. 